UN Food group report - selections

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recently released their "Plan of Action for North Sudan - August 2010 - 2012."

The 122 page report analyses and estimates near future conditions for food security, climate and economic conditions. It offers response plans and programs, some risk analysis and ideas for evaluating the UN efforts to provide help for farmers and the food industry.

Here are a few selections that highlight East Sudan.

OVERVIEW. In Eastern Sudan, ecological, political and economic factors have contributed to the recurrence of food security crises and, therefore, the vulnerability of rural families. Drought, floods and the aftermath of conflicts have decimated pastures, livestock herds, and crop production systems. Consecutive natural disasters (particularly poor and unreliable rainfall), declining agricultural production, limited economic opportunities and reduced livestock production and productivity have all contributed to chronic vulnerability. the continued presence of about 66 500 refugees from Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the ongoing disarmament and demobilization process for ex-combatants have further exacerbated the situation in the region. FAO has implemented interventions mainly in two states (Kassala and Red Sea), with Gedaref recently receiving assistance owing to the DDR process and livestock migrations from Kassala that are linked to fodder shortages.

UNDERNUTRITION The Sudan has some of the highest prevalence rates of under-nutrition. According to national estimates, 31 percent of children under five are underweight, 14 percent are wasted and 32.5 percent are stunted. These figures hide significant regional and seasonal variations. The prevalence of moderately underweight children is estimated at 38.4 percent in Kassala, 39.6 percent in North Darfur and 19 percent in Red Sea state. In Eastern Sudan, wasting among children ranged from 19.7 to 30.8 percent in different localities. Localized surveys on micro-nutrient status report that night blindness caused by Vitamin A deficiency ranges from less than 1 to 4.8 percent. Under-nutrition not only increases vulnerability to disease and death, it diminishes learning capacity and productivity, locking vulnerable households into a cycle of poverty and undermining sustainable livelihoods.

SEEDS. The lessons learned during the implementation of the DDR project in Eastern Sudan (Kassala state) are being applied in the implementation of DDR projects in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states. In these, community participation (committees) for seed collection and distribution were vital to improve seed distribution mechanisms. The FAO hs patnered with the World Food Program to ensure that seeds for planting next year are not eaten this year. A monitoring program has been designed ofr East Sudan.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY In Eastern Sudan, there has been a significant drop in the number of traditional healers since the training of Community Animal Health Workers started in 2007. This is attributed to the effectiveness of treatment being provided by CAHWs as well as the growing awareness of their importance among livestock keepers. Herders have increased their herd size and started diversifying the types of animals they raise.

FAO ACTIVITIES In Eastern Sudan, FAO has been involved in the implementation of environment-related activities such as the production, distribution and planting of tree seedlings, production and distribution of fuel-efficient stoves, construction/rehabilitation of water points and pastures along migratory routes, and fencing of rehabilitated rangeland to restore and protect the degraded environment.

Other activities will include promoting water harvesting, rain roof catchment and shallow well construction and development. In addition, activities will support rangeland management and improvement practices, working with the nomadic and pastoralist communities, and will involve pasture development, awareness and sensitization of these communities on destocking and diversification of livestock management in the context of climate change, environmental degradation and resource depletion to support the existing livestock population. [Darfur only?]

The overall FAO budget is about $45 million US.


Download the pdf from here
http://www.fao.org/emergencies/country_information/list/africa_emergencies/sudan/en/